Monday, Atlantean Royal Palace

Tonight was elimination day. Prince Michael will eliminate two girls. I prayed that it's me. I mean, I'm sick of all this parading around like I'm perfect Princess material. I'm not. Maybe I'll win Ms. Earth or something, but never a beauty contest. Cal has shown for the past few days that he only cares about girls with beautiful faces. Well, he can pick them for all I care.

I DON'T CARE! Even if he chooses Amelia Atlanta, I don't care!

Wrong. I do. I care so much because I loved him. Note the loved. 'Cause I don't anymore. He doesn't even like me as a friend, what with the 'Oh, but I can't, Lia. I came to ask Crystal something,' speech. Of course he'd choose Crystal, Amelia, or Ariana. They're both beautiful.

And Ariana and Crystal are nice and patient and understanding.

Not Amelia. A more manipulative backstabbing bitch I've ever seen. I'm ashamed to share half of my deoxyribonucleic acid genes with her

Anyway, I got dressed cheerfully in my favourite clothes. Ripped jeans, black tea, sneakers and all. Crystal was dressed formally, in a small black dress. She looked at me and opened her mouth tentatively.

"Um, Lia, don't you think you could, maybe, wear more, uh, presentable clothes? What if Michael decides to give you a rose, and you went up there, and the camera took a picture of you like that? The dress code says 'dress formally'. It's going to be broadcasted on satellite TV!" Crystal said.

I rolled my eyes in a 'don't care' manner, and strode towards the great hall where the ceremony is taking place.

After waiting for several moments, the others came onstage. Amelia was wearing a skimpy dress with a slit up to her navel; Alexandra was wearing an artistically ripped dress; Ariana something sweet and pure. The others are wearing more dresses in black or white.

Then Michael strode up the stage, looking uncomfortable in his tuxedo. He picked up a rose, and asked in a nervous voice, "Alexandra, would you like to know me better?"

Alexandra squealed, pecked Michael on the cheek, took the rose and smiled at the camera. Then she bounded off.

"Antoinette, would you like to know me better?"

"Ariana, would you like to know me better?"

"Crystal, would you like to know me better?"

He's not going to say my name. Yippee. I'm not chosen. Thank goodness. Only six more to go. My palms are sweating.

"Cynthia, would you like to know me better?"

"Jacinda, would you like to know me better?"

"Nicole, would you like to know me better?"

All the girls' reactions are the same. They'd squeal, go peck him on the cheek, smile at the camera, and walked off. I looked around and saw that Amelia, Yolanda, and I are both not chosen. Of course he'd choose Amelia. Phew. I can go home now.

"Aurelia, would you like to know me better?" I started and looked at Michael. He was smiling tentatively. If he thought by letting me stay on this rotten show a bit longer, he can appease me, then he's wrong. I looked at Amelia's pale face. Her face was contorted with fury and shock.

I strode towards Michael, ignored the rose he'd held out, and said, "No, I would not like to know you better."

Gasps rose from all over the hall. Nobody thought that anyone would actually refuse to become a Princess. Well, then they don't know Lia. My father's face was shocked.

The producer looked shocked, too. He didn't expect anyone in the show to say that openly. In satellite TV, too.

"Oh, how could you do such a horrid thing? That's so mean of you! Poor Mike. Oh, dear Mike, never mind her. Who would want that wretch when you could have me?" Amelia, seizing the rose from Cal's hand, and threw herself at him. Cal was so surprised he toppled off the stage. The director screamed, "Cut!"

I didn't stick around to find out more. I ran away from the stage.

"LIA!" Cal shouted after me. "NO, WAIT! I CAN EXPLAIN"

But I didn't stop. What's there to explain? He liked Amelia, didn't he?

DIDN'T HE? DID I MESS UP MY ONLY CHANCE AT HAPPINESS??